Scavengers: States get 6-month NHRC deadline to submit plan

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given a six-month deadline to states to prepare a basic plan of action on how to eradicate t...

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given a six-month deadline to states to prepare a basic plan of action on how to eradicate the practice of manual scavenging.

Though, most states had promised to end headloading of nightsoil by 2007, many do not even have a record of scavengers, especially from rural areas.

The Commission has held that ‘‘the practice of manual scavenging is a complete denial of human rights’’ of those engaged in it. NHRC chief Dr A.S. Anand said it was shame that this practice was continuing even 10 years after a law, Employment of Manual Scavengers and Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, was passed.

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Anand told the states to assess the need for conversion of dry latrines into flush ones within the next six months so that NGOs and other agencies can implement their plans to build modern latrines.

The second stage of the plan involves imparting vocational training to families involved in the profession so that the stigma of untouchability is also erased.

The mission to eradicate scavenging has been included in the 15-point programme given by PM A.B. Vajpayee after the NHRC had repeatedly raised the issue with leaders. The Planning Commission has also set up a national task force to deal with this practice.

The NHRC recently reviewed the progress on its eradication in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

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